Therapeutic effects of noble gases

Since the last century it has been known that inert gases can cause a range of physiological effects. The biological activity of inert gases is an extremely multifaceted phenomenon. Despite the similarity of most physical and chemical characteristics, they are able to affect many organs and tissues by interacting with a variety of protein targets. Currently, it is known that xenon, krypton and argon are capable of changing the functional state of the central nervous system and correcting some psychoemotional disorders. In addition, they influence the processes of apoptosis and cellular response to stress. Noble gases affect the state of the immune system and various parameters of homeostasis. The cytoprotective effects of helium on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems have also been convincingly demonstrated. Thus, noble gases are currently being considered as potential means of correcting various diseases. This review is devoted to the analysis of literature data on the physiological effects of noble gases identified in biomedical studies on patients, as well as in cell culture and in vivo models. Each chapter of the review is devoted to a particular gas of this group, starting with the most studied ones. For each of the noble gases (helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon and radon) their physiological activity, the possibility of using these substances in medicine and some known mechanisms of their action are considered. Moreover, in the review existing data were critically analyzed and key gaps that need to be filled in future research were identified.